Camera inspection
The camera records roots, cracks, broken joints and low spots where water sits. Its footage tells the plumber which repair the lateral needs.
Sewer Line Repair in National City
Whatever goes down your drains leaves through the sewer lateral. A crack, a root intrusion or a collapse leaves wastewater with only one place to go, which is back up.
A provider puts a camera through the line, then clears, repairs or replaces it. The work happens at the house and, where it applies, out in the street.
Sewer line options
Clearing roots
Roots can enter a line through a joint or crack and grow inside it. A plumber cuts them out with a cutter or a jetter and watches the line again afterwards.
Repairing one section
When only one stretch is damaged, that stretch is cut out and replaced. The rest of the lateral and the ground above it stay as they are.
Replacing the lateral
A collapsed lateral, or one cracked along its length, is replaced. The new pipe can follow the old route or take a new one, depending on the trench.
Trench work in the street
National City’s permit guide says sewer lateral installations and trench work in the public right-of-way must be done by a contractor with a Class A California license and a National City business license.
Under municipal code 14.06, owners are responsible for maintaining the lateral, which the city describes as privately owned.
House age and the sewer line
Pipe materials changed over the decades, and the sewer line age checker matches your build year to them. For scale, 35.7 percent of National City houses date from before 1960, and half went up in or before 1969.
If a drain clearing visit does not hold, the lateral may be damaged, and leak finding has its own page. The full list is on the homepage.
Call for a free plumbing quote
Call us to discuss your current issue and how we can assist you. The call is free and you get a free, personalized estimate with no obligation. We're here to help.
Call (855) 321-3426